The King Blues Split

     Britain’s most successful Punk Ska band, the King Blues officially announced their split via their website this Monday, the 2^nd of April 2012. The band was formed in 2004 and was a cutting-edge political hybrid collective.

     In their official statement, the band expressed ‘great sadness’ and told fans that ‘The King Blues are no more. We are all immensely proud of our body of work. We will be releasing the last The King Blues album entitled ‘Long Live The Struggle’ as the final chapter. The album will be released in early July 2012.’

     The King Blues simply feel they’d gone as far as they could as a band and felt it would be unfair to continue if they were just ‘going through the motions. We all believe strongly in what the King Blues stand for.’

    They also gracefully thanked fans for all their ‘support, love and passion’ through the years. The band brought political awareness into the minds of their fans, many whom are teens. Growing up in rough areas, with frontman Itch even selling the Big Issue and living on the streets at one point, the band sure know what it’s like to earn success. And with fifteen past members of the King Blues, there’s been many a line-up change over the past 8 years.

The King Blues

    With their Folk, Punk Rock and Hardcore influences, the King Blues are a great example of decent, politically driven music. They had heavy influences from the likes of The Clash, The Specials and Black Flag and incorporated rap, vocals and great musical ability.

Visit www.kingblues.com for the band’s official statement in full. 

Camden Crawl Announce 100 More Acts!

     Camden Crawl’s line up already features the likes of Lower Than Atlantis and Kids In Glass Houses and Death in Vegas headlining, 100 more acts have been announced for this year’s Camden Crawl, which will be held from the 4^th- 6^th of May 2012. Probably the only Rock based festival without the burden of mud, port a loos and takes place at Camden’s Koko and Barfly to save you trudging through a field or five. The latest additions include The Milk, Crowns, 22, Beans on Toast, Two Wounded Birds and Harry Oakwood to name a few.

     The festival’s organisers have also already released stage line ups and ‘major special guests’ are due to be announced very soon. The fest also offers comedy, storytelling, a record fair, quizzes, live karaoke, exhibitions, alternative performing, games and other live music events such as DJ sets.  Although early bird weekend and VIP tickets have already sold out, general weekend tickets are still up for grabs, as well as individual day tickets. Prices start from £42.65 for a day ticket (including those lethal booking fees) and entry to the entire weekend will set you back £72.90.

The Camden Crawl 2012 Poster

For the full line up, to buy tickets or for more information, hop over to Camden Crawl’s site at http://www.thecamdencrawl.com

Warped Tour Comes To London

     For Rock, Alternative and Pop Punk fans across the Atlantic, the U.S’s Warped Tour line up has been a dreaded time for Brits since its inception 14 years ago. But in November this this year, Warped Tour will be gracing our shores!

      With no word with regards to line-up as yet, it is Warped’s incredibly successful reputation fans are trusting, and who can blame them with past tours involving the likes of All Time Low, Of Mice and Men, Yellowcard, Lostprophets and Rise Against it cannot be missed!

     Details are being kept under wraps for the time being, but head over to www.vanswarpedtouruk.com and register for any updates. Perhaps it won’t be too long until Warped Tour blasts its way through the entirety of the UK

Sonisphere Festival 2012 Cancelled

     Due to a severe lack of ticket sales, this year’s legendary Sonisphere Festival has been cancelled. The festival anticipated the likes of Queen (with American Idol’s Adam Lambert replacing deceased Freddy Mercury), Switchfoot, Kiss, Evanescence, Cypress Hill and Black Stone Cherry to take the stage at the Stevenage festival.

     On their website, Sonisphere organisers expressed ‘deepest regrets to the artists’ and insisted that without acceptable ticket sales, this year’s event would not meet the expectations of audience and artists alike. Those who have already purchased tickets are entitled to a full refund.

      It is rumoured that ticket sales and lack of financial means caused Sonisphere’s unfortunate cancellation. Yet with many of the UK’s music festivals (and those further afield) boasting incredible line-ups with The Cure, The Killers, The Stone Roses, Paramore, Snow Patrol, Kasabian and Foo Fighters, a lack of Sonisphere should not dishearten those who hoped to attend. And without this year’s event Sonipshere Festival 2013 is set to be bigger and better than ever!

Queen

You Me At Six Release ‘The Swarm’ for New Thorpe Park Ride

 Thorpe Park unveiled Europe’s tallest winged rollercoaster ‘The Swarm ’with its 127ft drop on the 15^th of March. Weybridge, Surrey (just minutes from Thorpe Park) born You Me At Six have composed the world’s very first rollercoaster-dedicated song which was released on the 18^th of March on iTunes and onto British T.Vs everywhere with an advertising campaign.

The Swarm's concept art

     The track, which shadows the coaster’s theme of a destructed world and has brought You Me At Six a great deal of exposure, especially since their latest album ‘Sinners Never Sleep’ was released on the 30^th of September in an attempt to reach a wider audience and rekindle their sound with existing fans.

You Me At Six

Album of the Month: Weapons by Lostprophets: (02/02/2012- Epic Records)

    From Pontypridd, Wales, and founded by vocalist Ian Watkins in 1997, Lostprophets have achieved several top ten singles over the past few years.

      Their fifth studio album is based around the Latin saying found on its artwork ‘Deus Velox Nex’ which translates as ‘God is swift death’; living life to the full and being aware of how precious it is. This is a theme that trickles through the record, as well as a great blend of all Lostprophets’ past styles from past albums, including more mainstream components and even manipulated rap in parts. Single ‘Bring Em Down’ was released on the 23^rd of March and propels the band into an image of freedom fighters and the tone of almost sarcastic swagger and energy, as well as exceptional musical skill lingers throughout ‘Weapons.’

Freedom Fighters: Lostprophets' Artwork for 'Weapons'

Tribes- 'Baby' (16/01/2012 Island Records)

   Formed in 2010, Tribes are a four-piece Indie Rock band from Camden, North West London. With influences from the likes of Nirvana, R.E.M. and The Pixies, ‘Baby’ is the band’s third release but debut full length album. The album has a more approachable, straight up Rock sound, more appropriate for the mainstream, and paving the way for potential future success.

     After embarking on the NME Awards Tour this February with Azealia Banks, Metromony and Two Door Cinema Club, Tribes’ sound is spreading far and wide; a perfect bridge between the underground music, and more mainstream worlds. With beautifully melodic Indie ballads thrown in with catchy pop based tracks, if you buy one Indie album this month, let it be this one!

Tribes: Artwork